On January 16, 2012, the team representing the insurance business allowed their hairy coverage to expire in the name of childhood cancer research. In doing so, we're proud to say they helped raise nearly $800,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research.

But did you know it has its roots in the insurance industry?

On March 17, 2000, reinsurance executives turned their St. Patrick’s Day party into a head-shaving event to benefit kids with cancer. It was that day St. Baldrick’s was born. And 11 years, 188,900 shaved heads, and $117 million later, we’re still going strong.

Help fund childhood cancer research by supporting the team representing the insurance industry — Expired Coverage.

Meet the Shavee

David Bresnahan

President, Lexington Insurance Company

“When they said ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ I never thought they’d be talking about my hair! But, I’m excited to do my part. This will be a great event.”

David’s insurance career began right out of college in 1990 with Chubb and followed with 16 years at AIG/Chartis. He is now in his 12th year at Lexington Insurance Company and serves as President. He has extensive experience in Underwriting, E&O, Executive Liability, Professional Lines and Construction Business. David lists AmWINS as one of his company’s largest trading partners.

David is the father of 3 and is pleased to support many charities throughout the world, including St. Baldrick’s.

Meet the Shavee

Dave Leonard

President, RSUI Group

“Compared to what children and their parents go through when they are faced with cancer, who can possibly be afraid of getting a really close haircut?”

Dave’s insurance career began with Crum and Forster Companies in 1979, working in various casualty underwriting and management roles until 1991, when he joined Employers Reinsurance Corporation to underwrite property and casualty treaty reinsurance. He then joined RSUI in 1999 as a manager of Program Business. Dave’s designations include CPCU and Associates Risk Management, Reinsurance and Insurance Accounting and Finance.

Dave is excited to be a part of AmWINS and St. Baldrick’s Foundation efforts to raise funds in support of research towards finding a cure to childhood cancer.

Meet the Shavee

Eduardo Lucena

CEO, Colemont Brazil

“I am honored to participate in the event and to work for a company with such dedication to the cause.”

Eduardo’s Economics and Finance degrees led him to work as a Managing Director at Exata S.A., a stock broker, prior to entering the insurance industry in 2001 with Riscon Corretora de Seguros. After becoming Partner in 2005, he led the merger with Colemont Global Group in 2006. He currently works as Country Manager for Colemont Brasil Holdings.

Eduardo lost a cousin at age 8 and the mother of a close friend. His charitable efforts in Brazil have helped establish a cooperation between St. Baldrick’s and Instituto do Cancer, extending St. Baldrick’s internationally.

Meet the Shavee

Frank Murphy

Group Chief Executive, THB Group PLC

“If given the opportunity to save or prolong a child’s life, who wouldn’t seize it with both hands?”

Ten years after joining THB Group in 1999, Frank was named Group Chief Executive, responsible for group strategy and corporate development. He also serves as CEO of THB International Holdings Ltd (the company comprising overseas businesses of PWS acquired by THB in 2008), chairman of THB UK Ltd., and Deputy Chairman of the London & International Insurance Brokers’ Association.

Meet the Shavee

James Drinkwater

President, AmWINS Brokerage

“This will be an exciting an emotional evening that will bring recognition to an important cause. As one of the organizers of this crazy idea, I felt that I had to be among the shavees.”

James joined AmWINS in 2005 as COO of the Brokerage division and currently serves as President of the division, a title he has held since 2008. Prior to AmWINS, James held executive positions with Stewart Smith Group and Willis Group. His career originated in the London marketplace.

The AmWINS/St. Baldrick’s relationship is important to James because of its association with the insurance industry and his desire to help those in need. After last year’s successful efforts ($250,000 raised), James challenged the Group and partner insurers to raise a large amount of money and increase awareness of the St. Baldrick’s cause.

James is married to a two-time cancer survivor and is the father of three healthy girls.

Meet the Shavee

John Charman

CEO & President, Axis Capital

“Personal experiences really make kids cancer hit home. This means a great deal to me personally and professionally.”

John has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry, including his most recent role as a founding partner of Axis Capital Holdings Limited where he been CEO and President since the company’s inception in 2001. He is also the CEO and President of Axis Specialty Limited.

John has a long list of influential positions at renowned insurance companies, just a few of which are CEO at ACE International, ACE Global Markets and Tarquin plc. Most recently, John was appointed Second Deputy Chair for a two year term for Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR).

John resides in Bermuda, is married, and has two sons and a daughter.

Meet the Shavee

Scott Carmilani

President & CEO, Allied World Assurance Company

“Children are our future and they deserve every opportunity we can give them to live long and prosper. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is one of the best of its kind.”

25 years of insurance experience, beginning in 1987 with AIG, has led Scott to his current position as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied World Assurance Company. The company provides insurance and reinsurance solutions to the US Fortune 1000 and FTSE 200 internationally traded global companies. Under Scott’s management, the company went public in 2006 with a NYSE IPO that raised $340 million.

Since then he has broadened the company’s capabilities via internal framework and with acquisitions that strengthened Allied World’s U.S. network. He has also expanded into Hong Kong, Singapore and Zug, Switzerland.

Scott is married with 2 daughters and currently lives in Rumson, NJ.

Meet the Shavee

W.H. “Skip” Cooper

President, AmWINS Group, Inc.

“I enjoy seeing the camaraderie of our entire firm as we do our part to help this worthy cause.”

Skip has served as President of AmWINS Group, Inc. since 2007, working diligently on internal strategic plans, key initiatives with markets and exploring international opportunities. AmWINS is the second wholesaler he has worked for, the first being a MGA/Wholesaler specializing in underwriting and broking large P&C accounts. Skip also has extensive non-wholesaler experience in London, where his insurance career started as an intern, and with several high profile companies in the U.S.

Through his participation in this campaign, Skip aims to demonstrate that there is more to what we do than just work at a job, and that sharing in a charity effort that affects all of us enables us to have a larger impact on the charity.